Maryland’s Sweet 16 Journey: A Buzzer-Beater Thriller
March Madness is known for its heart-stopping moments, and this year’s tournament has been no exception. On Sunday, the Maryland Terrapins delivered a nail-biting finish that will be remembered for years to come. In a game that had fans on the edge of their seats, Derik Queen’s buzzer-beater secured Maryland’s spot in the Sweet 16, as they edged out Colorado State 72-71 in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
Let’s set the scene: The game was played in Seattle, and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. Maryland, a fourth seed, was up against the No. 12 seed Colorado State, a team that was on a mission to become the lowest-seeded team to advance to a regional semifinal in this year’s tournament. The Rams were hoping to make history, especially in a tournament that had been relatively light on upsets and buzzer-beaters. But Derik Queen had other plans.
With just 6 seconds left on the clock, Jalen Lake of Colorado State nailed a stunning rainbow 3-pointer, giving the Rams a one-point lead and sending their fans into a frenzy. It seemed like the perfect Cinderella story was unfolding. However, Maryland’s coach, Kevin Willard, quickly called a timeout with 3.6 seconds remaining, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
Enter Derik Queen, the 6-foot-10 freshman center from Baltimore. With the game on the line, Queen received the ball, drove to his left, and with two defenders in his face, he elevated and banked in a fadeaway jumper off the glass as the horn sounded. The crowd erupted, and Maryland’s bench stormed the court in celebration. The Terrapins were moving on to face the West Region’s No. 1 seed, Florida, in San Francisco.
Queen’s heroics capped off a stellar performance, as he led Maryland with 17 points. He wasn’t alone in his efforts, though. Rodney Rice contributed 16 points, and Julian Reese added 15 points and 11 rebounds. The trio, part of Maryland’s starting lineup known as the “Crab Five,” ensured that each starter scored in double figures. Interestingly, Maryland’s bench only managed to score two points, highlighting the heavy lifting done by the starters.
On the other side, Colorado State’s Nique Clifford put up a valiant effort with 21 points, while Jalen Lake added 13. Despite their best efforts, the Rams fell just short of their goal, but they can hold their heads high after a hard-fought game.
As we look ahead, Maryland’s journey continues, and fans are eager to see how they will fare against Florida. The Terrapins have shown resilience and determination, qualities that are essential in the high-pressure environment of March Madness.
- Key Players: Derik Queen, Rodney Rice, Julian Reese
- Final Score: Maryland 72, Colorado State 71
- Next Opponent: Florida (No. 1 seed in the West Region)
In conclusion, this game was a testament to the excitement and unpredictability of college basketball. Derik Queen’s buzzer-beater will be replayed countless times, serving as a reminder of why we love this sport. As Maryland advances, the question remains: How far can they go? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—this team has the heart and talent to make a deep run.
Originally Written by: ESPN.com
